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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
09:10
Digital Hybrid Model Preparation for Virtual Planning of Reconstructive Dentoalveolar Surgical Procedures
Published on: August 5, 2021
A model for digital archiving of radiographs into a searchable database
Jay D Decker1, Anne-Marie Bollen, Curtis S K Chen
1Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash 98195, USA. jdecker@u.washington.edu
Summary
This study presents a method for digitizing film orthodontic X-rays to the DICOM standard. This ensures compatibility for long-term storage and retrieval of digital dental images.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Medical Imaging
- Health Informatics
Background:
- Digital imaging is standard in orthodontics, but analog radiographs persist.
- Interoperability issues arise with diverse digital imaging systems and formats.
- The Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard promotes system compatibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a method for laser scanning and digitizing analog (film) radiographs.
- To ensure digitized images comply with DICOM standards.
- To enable web-based archiving, searching, and retrieval of digitized orthodontic images.
Main Methods:
- Laser scanning of analog (film) radiographs.
- Digitization process adhering to DICOM standards.
- Implementation of a web-based system for data management.
Main Results:
- Successful digitization of analog radiographs meeting DICOM specifications.
- Demonstrated feasibility of web-based archiving and retrieval.
- Ensured long-term accessibility and interoperability of orthodontic images.
Conclusions:
- The described method effectively converts analog radiographs to DICOM-compliant digital images.
- This approach facilitates secure, searchable, and accessible digital archiving of orthodontic records.
- Adoption of this method enhances practice efficiency and data management in orthodontics.
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